There’s not enough quality Columbo artwork in the world, so it’s little wonder that the response to last week’s competition to win the fabulous print shown above was such a strong one.
Yes folks, Alistair Little’s sensational piece ‘One More Thing‘ was the hottest ticket in town and elicited some blistering competition to see who’d claim it by virtue of entering the best response to the question: ‘Why do you need this print in your life?’.
To quote Bye-Bye baddie Oliver Brandt, “I enjoy giving pleasure“, so without further ado let’s announce who has secured the coveted prize (cue Dagger of the Mind-style British fanfare).
In stereotypical fashion, there can be only one winner. And the lucky recipient of the free print of Alistair’s ‘One More Thing‘ painting is Linda Davies, who stole Al’s heart with her presumably real-life recount of a man and woman discussing the competition. Enjoy it below…
NB – Linda, if you haven’t yet done so, please get in touch with me via email to organise the prize.
The scene: Kitchen. Morning. A man and a woman seated at the table with the remnants of a hastily prepared breakfast. He’s scanning his phone, only half paying attention.
Man: “So, enter. I mean you love the guy, right?”
Woman: “Who? Columbo? Falk? Alistair Little?”
Man: “Which episode is that?”
Woman: “What episode?”
Man: “You know. The one with the guy.”
Woman: “What guy?”
Man: “The guy who loves the art student. Although he really doesn’t. It’s about a painting, right? Or was it a set of drawings?”
Woman (perplexed): “What are you talking about?”
Man: “Art.”
Woman (musing): “He’s got a really great way of capturing The Moment.”
Man: “Columbo? Yeah, I love the way he always turns around at the door and says, ‘Just one more thing.’”
Woman: “No! Alistair Little.”
Man: “Who?”
Woman: “Alistair Little. The artist.”
Man: “You mean the guy with the nude model? The one with the hairy back?”
Woman (exasperated): “Not the actor. The REAL artist. Alistair Little. His paintings always capture the moment – the tension, the way I can see a person *thinking*. We could hang the painting over the desk. You know. Inspiration.”
Man: “Or you could put it by the door. You know. Just One More Thing. A reminder.
Woman: “It’s a painting, not a Post-it note!”
Man: “I thought you said it was a print.”
Woman: “It’s a print of a wonderful painting. Giclee.”
Man: “I thought you said it was Columbo.”
Woman: “Oh, never mind…”
So, um, yes. I need this painting by Big Al – one Columbo lover to another. By the desk. You know. Inspiration. So I can watch him thinking, and remember all the wonderful episodes.
So while Linda is the big winner, I’d like to pay due credit to the dozens of readers who pitched in their entries in the comments section, some rib-tickling, some from the heart, one even threatening (good-natured) violence. All in all, you’re a thoroughly excellent bunch. All the entries can be read on the original post here.
And remember, if you didn’t win (i.e. everyone except Linda), we’re all winners anyway because Big Al has made the print available at an exclusive discounted rate for readers of the Columbophile blog. Simply enter the discount code ONEMORETHING10 at checkout to secure 10% off the full price. I shall be doing so myself forthwith.
Please note, this offer is only available until midnight (UK time) on Sunday 1 December – so get in quick!
Order your print online here.
That’s all for today, folks. On behalf of Al and myself, thanks for your interest in this competition and may the gaps on your walls forever be filled with something truly suitable for framing…
If you’re in the mood for shopping, do have a look at the 2019 Columbo Christmas Gift Guide right here!
If you’re in the mood for giving, consider making a small donation towards the upkeep of this site – from just $3
I didn’t win, but the image is my new cell phone screen-saver!
I like the post and think the oil painting of columbo is excellent I have printed one off and intend to frame it in the future , love the Nude model scene in Suitable for framing very funny and one of the best episodes overall but I Hate Murder a self portrait ,one of my least favorite overall and new episodes , I think its very drossy and unorthodox with all that dream sequence stuff at the end , it was described on another blog as an episode with potential but turns into a bit of a Mess I wonder could columbophile give a brief opinion of where it stands in his hierarchy.
I deliberately haven’t watched Self Portrait for a few years to keep it ‘fresh’ when I get round to reviewing it, but my main memory is of the dream sequences, which I thought were very corny and not Columbo-like. I can’t really remember how Columbo solves the case at all.
I think there was a clue about a previous murder he had committed in the dreams which could have led to the grounds being excavated and find a skeleton but on the whole its a very bad ending .
No, Selfportrait does NOT have a bad ending, it’s actually very clever involving the remnants of some special paint. Besides, the revealing of Columbo’s portrait when Barsini has acknowledged his guilt, and Columbo’s response, is beautiful.
The episode also has nice parts by Vito Scotti and Shera Danese and the dream sequenses are not that corny; creepy and disturbing are the words you’re looking for. Moreover Patrick Bauchau is excellent as Max Barsini.
I really hope that, when you get to watch it again, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this one.
Yes But its very un columbolike and a far cry from the classic seventies endings . I am somebody who likes a lot of the new ones namely Death hits the jackpot my favorite Agenda for murder , columbo goes to college , caution ! Murder can be be hazardous to your health and murder smoke and shadows but not this one , I will watch it with with an open mind next time but It never satisfy s me, although i would prefer self portrait to Murder with too many notes and murder in Malibu which i almost cannot watch .
Agenda For Murder is a favourite of mine too, that one even rivals many of the 70’s episodes.
An underrated aspect of all your posts is the thumbnail image you select to display on the homepage. They are rarely less than perfect – this one being a prime example.
Thank you, I do put plenty of thought into ’em!
Congratulations Linda, well done!
Wow! We are super chuffed in the Davies house to be the proud new owners of this gorgeous print! Thank you, once again, for a marvelous giveaway and for all the great work you put into the blog!
Congrats indeed. I’ll put you in touch with Big Al to arrange shipment.